(CU Independent graphic/Adam Milner)
When a team’s season goes down the drain, a place-kicker sometimes becomes the scapegoat.
University of Colorado senior place-kicker Aric Goodman knows this far too well.
Ever since his game-winning field goal against West Virginia during the 2008 season, which earned him a scholarship, less than stellar results have lead to whispers of criticism around Folsom Field, sometimes louder than those against Head Coach Dan Hawkins.
“My job is to make a field goal, regardless of where I’m kicking,” Goodman said. “If I don’t get it done, then obviously [the fans] are going to say something.”
His statistics show he has progressed, even if few noticed. He went from kicking a dismal 35.7 percent of his field goals in 2008, to kicking 55.6 percent in 2009.
“Throughout the whole time I feel I’ve gotten better, just a little bit unlucky here and there with some uprights,” Goodman said.
During the streak of eight straight field goals missed during the 2008 season, he hit the post twice. Although it may not count, he was not far off from doing the job so many fans wanted him to do.
For all the Buffs fans who would like to see Goodman on the bench for the 2010 season, there is hope. Red shirt freshman Zach Grossnickle is waiting in the wings.
Grossnickle, who was recruited in 2009 from East High School in Denver, finally received an opportunity to showcase his stuff to the public during spring drills. He is capable of playing as both a punter and a place-kicker.
Fans won’t have to wait long to get a sniff of Grossnickle’s talents
“Right now I think I’m going to be a punter,” Grossnickle said. “I feel really comfortable with it.”
Grossnickle will be replacing the graduating Matt DiLallo.
Although focusing on punts, Grossnickle can be seen working on all facets of kicking during practice. He takes reps during kick off practice, and kicks field goals during team scrimmages
Although some may think it is difficult to have a player working on both place-kicking and punting during practice, Special Teams coach Kent Riddle doesn’t see any issues.
“It’s just a matter of him being able to mentally flip over, especially in the middle of a drive,” Riddle said.
If Goodman fails to meet expectations in 2010, we could get to see how quickly Grossnickle can change his mind set.
Since the loss of now Green Bay Packer kicker Mason Crosby, Colorado has looked for any sort of gain from their kickers, and with the new found completion between Grossnickle and Goodman, they may have found the spark they were searching for.
“Competition always helps,” Goodman said. “They’re going to get better because of it and I’m going to get better because of it.”
The fans will get to see how much improvement has really been made during the Spring Game, April 10th at Folsom Field.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Mark McNeillie at Mark.mcneillie@colorado.edu
